Tulsa Community College And Federal Aviation Administration Partner To Address Air Traffic Control Shortage

Tulsa Community College and the Federal Aviation Administration have partnered together to address the shortage of air traffic controllers across the country. 

The college is now one of the first schools in the country to offer the FAA's training program. 

The FAA has a training academy in Oklahoma City that will now be offered at Tulsa Community College. 

Tulsa Community College president Leigh Goodson says students will be able to get specialized training, finish the program at the college and then go directly into the workforce. 

"We know that there's a shortage of air traffic controllers in our country, and the FAA has been given a charge to train more," Goodson said.

She says this is a great opportunity for students while also addressing a major need in the industry. 

"This year they hired 1,800, next year their goal is over 2,000 and the year after that they have to hire 2,600 and the only way to keep America safe is to expand those training opportunities," she said.

The program will also be offered at the University of Oklahoma.